Automatic locking device



July 2, 1929. s, T, SMITH 1.719.630

AUTOMATIC LOCKING DEVICE Filed Marci 12, 1928 BY @w A ORNEY Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SKARDON T. SMITH, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JUSTICE E. SMITH, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC LOCKING DEVICE.

Application filed March 12, 1928. Serial No. 261,105.

This invention aims to provide an automatic locking device which may be applied to a wide range of equipment, such as Vises, jacks, winding devices and the like, wherein it is desired to provide simple and effective means for moving a holding member longitudinally, or rotarily, in either direction, and for "automatically rendering the said holding member immovable when pressure is exerted directly on it in its longitudinal, or rotary, direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide an automatic locking device which can either be made to render the holding member immovable when pressure is exerted longitudinally, 0r rotarily, thereon in both directions, or to function when pressure is exerted on it in one direction only.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an automatic locking device wherein the coordinating parts function equally successfully when the su porting member is in a vertical, horizonta or inclined position.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent as the specification pro oeeds, the invention, which consists in certain novel construction and combination of parts, is hereinafter more fully described with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a central'block having a horizontally arranged holding member which is rendered immovable by pressure exerted directly on it longitudinally from either direction.

Figure 2 shows the invention with the holding member vertically arranged and intended to be held immovable when pressure is exerted thereon longitudinally from one direction onl h igure 3 is a detailof the block shown in Figure 1. p

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 1- of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail of the construction employed in Figure 2, and s Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figures 7 and 8 show two views of a modified construction wherein the holding member is held immovable against pressure eXert ed in a rotary, instead of a longitudinal, direction;

Referring first to Figures 1 to 6 incluslve,

1 designates a block having an opening 2 therethrough for the passage of a holding member The latter is provided with a rack 4; thereon which extends longitudinally from one end for a portion of its length. In the accompanying drawings the member 3 1s showncircular though any preferred cross sectional form may be employed. A second aperture 5 is provided through the block 1 substantially at right angles to the opening 2.

, Through this aperture a shaft 6 extends, and

intermediately of its length this shaft is provided with gear teeth 7 so positioned as to mesh with the teeth of the rack 4. Theaperture 5is of such size as to provide clearance between it and the periphery of the shaft. Secured to the ends of the block, and usually inserted in counterbores 8 therein, are looking rings 9 preferably held in position as by screws 10 and dowels 11. Through the locking rings openings 12, or 12 are provided.

These openings 12, or 12, have two substantially parallel sides 14 spaced materially wider apart than the diameter of the'shaft. Of the remaining sides 15 and 15?, shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6, the side 15 is straight and substantially at right angles to they sides 14, and the other side 15 is nearer to its opposite wall 15 at its ends than at itscentre and consists of two inclined surfaces 15 and 15". The portions of the shaft 6 which ex- I tend through these openings are normally positioned. opposite the junction between the two surfaces 15 and 15, and remain in that position as the holding member is moved longitudinallyv by the rotation of the shaft 6. But if pressure is exerted longitudinally in either direction on the member 3, the latter 3 causes the shaft 6, through the aforesaid rack 41 and gear teeth7, to move at right angles to its axis. so that it binds, and becomes wedged, between the wall 15 and one of the tapered surfaces '15? or 15 of the wall 15*. Obviously as soon as rotation of the shaft 6 ceases the holding member 3 is rendered immovable 'In Figures 2 and 5 the openings 12 are the same as those previously described except that the wall 15 is inclined in one direction to the wall 15 throughout its entire length. l/Vhen this form of opening is provided in the plate 9 it is intended to hold the holding member against pressure from one direction only.

16 and 17 designate a handle and a collar respectively on the ends of the shaft 6. It will be noted that as long as the handle is employed for moving the holding member in either direction the latter will move freely.

Figure 1 shows the ends of the member 3 movable in either direction towards one of the fixed vise jaws 20, so that when one of the ends of the holding member is moved into contact with the work A or AA, the latter is held securely and to be released therefrom the handle 16 and shaft 6 must be turned.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 2 the work B is raised by the rotation of the shaft through its handle 16 and when the latter is no longer held the downward pressure exerted on the holding member by the weight of the work causes the holding member to move the shaft 6 into such position that it becomes locked against rotation as previously described. 7 g

In Figures 7 and 8 a block 1 is shown having an opening 2 therethrough in the form of a bearing for a holding spindle 3 and a second apertures 5 therethrough for the passage of a shaft 6. The latter in this case should be substantially parallel with the holding spindle 3, and the aperture 5 should be of suflicient size to provide clear ance around the shaft 6. The latter inter mediately of its length is provided with gear teeth 7 and the lower portion of the block 1 is' slotted at to receive a gear 26 which is fixed on the spindle 3, and is in mesh with the teeth of the gear 7. The ends of the block are counterbored at 8 to receive looking rings 9 having openings 112, similar to the openings 12 previously described, therein. Through these openings the shaft 6 extends and is provided at its ends with a handle 16 and a collar 17 Vifhen the shaft 6 is turned the, spindle 3 revolves thereby turning the drum and winding or unwinding wire 31 thereon. But pressure exerted by the wire tending to turn the spindle 3, and the shaft 6 through the gears 26 and 7 causes the shaft 6 to become locked in the openings 112 in the plates 9 in the manner already described.

lVhile in the foregoing the preferred embodiments of theinvention have'been described and shown,it is understood that construction is subject to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a block having an opening therethrough, a holding member eX- tending through said opening, said block also having an aperture therethrough, a shaft extending through said aperture having gear teeth thereon intermediately of its length, teeth on said holding member coact-ing with said ear teeth so that movement imparted to said holding member by the rotation of said shaft, locking plates on said block having openin s therethrough through which said shaft passes, the locking plate openings having two opposed sides which are not parallel with one another so that rotation of said shaft imparted to it by the movement of said holding member and through said gearing will cause said shaft to seize between said opposed sides, and means for rotating said shaft.

2. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a block having an opening therethrough, a holding member eX- tending through said opening, said block also having an aperture therethrough, a shaft extending through said aperture having gear teeth thereon intermediately of its length, teeth on said holding member cooperating with said gear teeth so that movement isimparted to said holding member by the rotation of said shaft, locking plates on said block having openings therethrough through which said shaftpasses, the locking plate openings having one straightside and a side opposed to it which is nearer to the straight side at its ends than at the centre so that rotation of said shaft in either direction imparted to it by the movement of said holding member and through said gearing will cause said shaft to seize between the said opposed sides of the holes through said locking" plates, and means for rotating saidshaft.

3. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a block having an opening therethrough, a holding member extending through said opening, said block also having an aperture therethrough substantially at right angles to said opening and extending through the side of the latter, lockin g plates having openings therethrough over the ends of said aperture, a shaft extending through said locking plate openings and said aperture, gear teeth on said shaft intermediately of its length, a rack on said holding member meshing with said gear teeth so that said holding member is moved longitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, the locking plate openings having two opposed sides which are not parallel with one another so that rotation of said shaftimparted to it by the movement of said holding member and through said rack and gear teeth will cause said shaft to seize between the said opposed sides of the openings in said locking plates, and means for rotating said shaft.

4. In an arrangement of the character described, the combination of a block having an opening therethrough, a holding member ex tending through said opening, said block also having an aperture therethrough substantially at right angles to said opening and extending through the side of the latter, locking plates having openings therethrough over the ends of said aperture, a shaft extending,

through said locking plate openings and said aperture, gear teeth on said shaft intermediately of its length, a rack on said holding member meshing with said gear teeth so that said holding member is moved longitudinally by the rotation of said shaft, the locking plate openings having one straight side and a side opposed to it which is nearer to the straight side at its ends than at the centre so that rotation of said shaft in either direction imparted to it by the movement of said holding member and through said rack and gear teeth will cause said shaft to seize between the said opposed sides of the holes through said locking plates, and means for rotating said shaft.

5. A locking device of the character described, comprising a combination of a supporting frame capable of engaging any resisting member, and formed with an opening therethrough, a holding member slidably mounted through said opening, said supporting frame having an aperture therein adjacent the holding member and formed with the wall opposite said holding member positioned angularly therewith, a rotatable member mounted within said aperture provided with means for engaging the slidable holding member and causing endwise movement thereof within the casing opening as said roller is I turned, and means attached to said roller for turning same and causing it to seize between the opposite walls.

6. A locking device of the character dey scribed, comprising a supporting frame capable of engaging any resisting member, and formed with an opening therethrough, a holding member slidably mounted through said opening capable of engaging any opposite resisting member, said supporting frame having an aperture therein positioned adjacent the holding member and formed with the wall opposite said holding member positioned angularly therewith, a cylindrical roller mounted within said aperture positioned crosswise with the holding member and provided with connecting means for engaging and moving said holding member lengthwise through the frame opening as said roller is turned, the angle of said aperture wall being formed narrower at the end opposite the direction of movement of said holding member, and means mounted on said cylindrical roller for causing rotations of same and causing said roller to seize between the holding member and the opposite angular aperture wall when subjected to the resisting force of said holding member.

SKARDON T. SMITH. 

